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PubMed1993

Differential properties of pre- and postsynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors in the dorsal raphe and hippocampus: I. Effect of spiperone.

The i.v. administration of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A antagonist spiperone (1 mg/kg) antagonized the suppressant effect of microiontophoretic applications of 5-HT and of the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT on the firing activity of the rat dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons. In contrast, the same dose of spiperone did not alter the responsiveness to microiontophoretic applications of 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, therefore indicating that spiperone does not act as a classical antagonist at these postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors. After two daily injections of spiperone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and a third one immediately before the experiment, the responsiveness of CA3 pyramidal neurons to 5-HT applied by microiontophoresis and to that released by the electrical stimulation of the ascending 5-HT pathway was markedly reduced. After 24, but not 12 or 48 h after a single injection of spiperone (5 mg/kg, i.p.), the responsiveness to exogenous and endogenous 5-HT was decreased. Smaller doses (1 and 2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) were ineffective. Haloperidol and ketanserin (5 mg/kg, i.p., 24 h before the experiment) were ineffective in blocking the responsiveness of CA3 pyramidal neurons to 5-HT, thereby demonstrating that the dopamine D2 and 5-HT2 properties of spiperone could not account for the attenuated responsiveness of the hippocampus neurons to 5-HT. Methiothepin (5 mg/kg, i.p., 24 h before recording), as for spiperone, antagonized the suppressant effect of 5-HT applied by microiontophoresis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1988

In vivo labelling of rat brain dopamine D-2 receptors. Stereoselective blockade by the D-2 antagonist raclopride and its enantiomer of 3H-spiperone, 3H-N,N-propylnorapomorphine and 3H-raclopride binding in the rat brain.

The stereospecific blockade by raclopride and FLB472 (the R enantiomer of raclopride) of the specific in vivo binding of [3H]-spiperone, [3H]-N,N-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) and [3H]-raclopride was studied in seven brain regions (e.g., caudate nucleus, olfactory tubercle, septum, hippocampus, frontal cortex, substantia nigra, pituitary gland) of the male albino rat. The binding of all three ligands was dose-dependently blocked by raclopride and FLB472. The blockade by FLB472 occurred at doses 50-100 times higher than that obtained by raclopride. The maximal blockade by raclopride of [3H]-spiperone binding differed between brain areas. Thus, the largest blockade was obtained in the substantia nigra (95%), septum (90%), caudate nucleus (60%) and olfactory tubercle (60%), while the blockade of [3H]-spiperone binding in the frontal cortex and pituitary gland did not exceed 30% and 50%, respectively. In contrast to [3H]-spiperone, the in vivo binding of [3H]-NPA and [3H]-raclopride was prevented by 90-100% in all brain areas examined. Taken together, the present findings indicate that the in vivo binding of three radioactive ligands to a central dopamine D-2 receptor can be stereoselectively blocked by the enantiomers of raclopride. The findings suggest that, under in vivo conditions, [3H]-raclopride and [3H]-NPA may label a closely related receptor site. However only some of the [3H]-spiperone binding sites may be identical to the [3H]-raclopride binding sites. The findings indicate furthermore that the relative overlap of D-2 sites shared by [3H]-spiperone and [3H]-raclopride may vary between brain regions.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Regional blockade by neuroleptic drugs of in vivo 3H-spiperone binding in the rat brain. Relation to blockade of apomorphine induced hyperactivity and stereotypies.

The regional prevention by neuroleptic drugs of specific in vivo 3H-spiperone binding was studied in the rat brain. L-sulpiride, thioridazine and clozapine was found to reduce the 3H-spiperone binding selectively in the olfactory tubercle, septum, substantia nigra region and frontal cortex but not the striatum at dose levels which preferentially block apomorphine (APO) induced hyperactivity. The maximal prevention of specific 3H-spiperone binding by l-sulpiride and clozapine reached 60-80% in the former structures while the displacement of striatal 3H-spiperone binding did not exceed 40%. In contrast to l-sulpiride, thioridazine and clozapine both chlorpromazine and haloperidol reduced the 3H-spiperone binding to the same extent in all regions studied. Chlorpromazine and haloperidol were potent in prevention of striatal 3H-spiperone binding in vivo which reached 60-80% in this structure.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Turnover of specific [3H]spiperone and [3H]N,n-propylnorapomorphine binding sites in rat striatum following phenoxybenzamine administration.

Inclusion of phenoxybenzamine into incubates containing rat striatal preparations equipotently displaced specific striatal [3H]spiperone and [3H]NPA binding. Pre-incubation of striatal membranes with phenoxybenzamine followed by extensive washing equipotently inhibited the subsequent specific [3H]spiperone or [3H]NPA binding. In both displacement and pre-incubation experiments phenoxybenzamine caused complete inhibition of specific [3H]spiperone binding to rat striatal membranes, but only partially inhibited specific [3H]NPA binding. Following parenteral administration to rats, phenoxybenzamine caused a marked inhibition of ex vivo specific [3H]spiperone binding in striatal tissue preparations from these animals which lasted approximately 24 hr following in vivo drug administration. In contrast, administration of phenoxybenzamine caused only a transient change in ex vivo specific [3H]NPA binding. Phenoxybenzamine causes irreversible inhibition of [3H]spiperone and [3H]NPA binding in vitro. In vivo administration of phenoxybenzamine discriminates between [3H]spiperone and [3H]NPA in ex vivo studies suggesting that these binding sites have different turnover rates.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effects of cations and temperature on the binding of [3H]spiperone to sheep caudate nucleus.

The specific [3H]spiperone binding by sheep caudate nucleus homogenate is increased by divalent cations. The effect of Ca2+ or Mn2+ (5 mM) is temperature-dependent, and it is optimal at about 37 degrees, but is relatively low below 15 degrees and above 50 degrees. In the absence of added Ca2+ or Mn2+, the maximal specific [3H]spiperone binding is observed at about 25 degrees, and the cations shift the optimum to about 37 degrees. Under the experimental conditions used, the KD is about 0.6 nM and is not influenced by Ca2+ or Mn2+, or by temperature (25 and 37 degrees). In addition to Ca2+ and Mn2+, Mg2+ and Zn2+ also increase the specific [3H]spiperone binding, but to a smaller extent. At the concentrations of Ca2+, Mn2+, Mg2+ and Zn2+ which produce a maximal increase in the [3H]spiperone binding, the membranes are nearly saturated with the cations which bind about 100 nmoles of Ca2+ or Mg2+/mg of protein, 170 nmoles Zn2+/mg of protein and at least 300 nmoles Mn2+/mg of protein. It is suggested that the cations increase the [3H]spiperone binding by either exposing more binding sites, by preventing denaturation or by increasing the solubility of [3H]spiperone in the membrane phase, or by a combination of these processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of recombinant human serotonin 5HT1A receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. [3H]spiperone discriminates between the G-protein-coupled and -uncoupled forms.

5HT1A serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) receptors have been characterized by ligand binding in a recombinant Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line expressing the human receptor gene. The agonist ligand [3H]2-(N,N-dipropylamino)-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene ([3H]8-OH-DPAT) and the antagonist [3H]spiperone were used. For both radioligands the binding sites labelled have the properties of 5HT1A receptors and most antagonists show roughly equal affinities for the receptors labelled by either [3H]8-OH-DPAT or [3H]spiperone. Agonists, however, show higher affinities for the sites labelled by [3H]8-OH-DPAT and the antagonist spiperone conversely shows a higher affinity for the sites labelled by [3H]spiperone. Whereas [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding is inhibited by guanosine triphosphate (GTP) the binding of [3H]spiperone is increased by GTP. A model is proposed for the results whereby [3H]8-OH-DPAT labels a form of the receptor coupled to a G-protein and [3H]spiperone labels a form of the receptor uncoupled from G-proteins (or possibly coupled to a different G-protein).

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1984

Quantification of in vivo spiperone binding in the rat striatum after lesions produced by kainate or decortication.

The potential of in vivo spiperone binding as a tool for the detection and quantitative analysis of striatal dopamine (DA) receptor alterations was studied in rat brain lesioned in several ways. Two weeks after kainate (KA) injection a significantly higher radioactivity accumulation was observed in the lesioned striatum than in the contralateral structure after a tracer dose of [3H]spiperone. The difference was maximal 2 days after surgery and it was present for at least 4 weeks while it was reversed 11 weeks after KA injection. The radioactivity uptake (tracer dose of [3H]spiperone) measured 2 weeks after surgery could be specifically prevented in both KA-lesioned and contralateral striatum by haloperidol and N-n-propylnorapomorphine while non-dopaminergic drugs were almost without effect. More than 80% of the radioactivity accumulation was saturable in both contralateral (unlesioned) and KA-lesioned striatum, leaving a slightly higher non-saturable radioactivity level in the latter. One week after unilateral ablation of the cerebral cortex overlying the striatum only minor bilateral differences in striatal radioactivity content were found after a tracer dose of [3H]spiperone. No differences were present after 6-OHDA lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway. Striatal DA receptor densities (Bmax) were determined from the dose-dependency of total striatal spiperone accumulation. This relationship was assessed using cerebellar spiperone accumulation instead of dose. Thus a Bmax of about 75 fmol X mg-1 tissue was found in the striatum of control (unoperated) rats and contralateral to the striatal KA lesion while 2 weeks after surgery it was approximately 33 fmol X mg-1 in the KA-lesioned striatum. One week after unilateral decortication Bmax values of about 50 and 65 fmol X mg-1 were found ipsi- and contralaterally to the lesion respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

In vivo [3H]spiperone binding: evidence for accumulation in corpus striatum by agonist-mediated receptor internalization.

The processes of receptor internalization and recycling have been well-documented for receptors for hormones, growth factors, lysosomal enzymes, and cellular substrates. Evidence also exists that these processes also occur for beta-adrenergic, muscarinic cholinergic, and delta-opiate receptors in frog erythrocytes or cultured nervous tissue. In this study, evidence is presented that agonist-mediated receptor internalization and recycling occurs at the dopamine receptor in rat corpus striatum. First, the in vivo binding of the dopamine antagonist [3H]spiperone was increased by both electrical stimulation and pharmacologically induced increases of dopamine release. Conversely, depletion of dopamine with reserpine decreased in vivo [3H]spiperone binding, but the same reserpine treatment did not alter its in vitro binding. Second, the rate of dissociation of [3H]spiperone from microsomal membranes prepared from rat striatum following in vivo binding was fivefold slower than its dissociation following in vitro equilibrium binding. Mild detergent treatment, employed to disrupt endocytic vesicle membranes, increased the rate of dissociation of in vivo bound [3H]spiperone from microsomal membranes to values not significantly different from its in vitro bound dissociation rate. Third, treatment of rats with chloroquine, a drug that prevents receptor recycling but not internalization, prior to [3H]spiperone injection resulted in a selective increase of in vivo [3H]spiperone binding in the light microsome membranes. The existence of mechanisms that rapidly alter the number of neurotransmitter receptors at synapses provides dynamic regulation of receptors in response to varied acute stimulation states.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Resolution of dopamine and serotonin receptor components of [3H]spiperone binding to rat brain regions.

A procedure was developed to identify receptors for dopamine and serotonin separately and selectively by means of [3H]spiperone and to measure the density of each receptor in different regions of the rat brain. In the striatum, the binding of [3H]spiperone to dopamine receptors was inhibited by sulpiride but not by quinazolinedone R43448 (R43448); in the frontal cortex, however, the binding of [3H]spiperone to serotonin receptors was inhibited by R43448 but not by sulpiride. Thus, the density of dopamine receptors (D2 sites) was measured by [3H]spiperone binding in the presence of 0.1 microM R43448 (to preclude the attachment of the 3H-labeled ligand to serotonin sites), while the density of serotonin receptors (S2 sites) was measured by [3H]spiperone binding in the presence of 10 microM sulpiride (to preclude the attachment of the 3H-labeled ligand to dopamine sites). The density of D2 sites was highest in the striatum, followed by the olfactory tubercle, hypothalamus, substantia nigra, and the lower pons--medulla region. All five regions had similar dissociation constants (Kd values) of 0.05--0.15 nM. The density of S2 sites was highest in the frontal cortex, followed by the posterior cortex, olfactory tubercle, striatum, hypothalamus, and thalamus, and all regions had Kd values in the range 0.6--2.3 nM. Thus, because the Kd values were similar for all regions, and because Scatchard analyses revealed a single set of sites for either D2 or S2 (where detected), the main criteria for resolving the dopamine and serotonin components of [3H]spiperone binding were considered fulfilled.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Spiperone: evidence for uptake into secretory granules.

Spiperone, a dopamine antagonist widely used as a specific ligand for dopamine and serotonin receptors, is actively accumulated into the F4C1 strain of rat pituitary tumor cells. The accumulation of 10 nM [3H]spiperone was linear for 3 min and reached a steady state after 10 min. Spiperone accumulation was reduced 50% by preincubation with 5 microM reserpine, an inhibitor of biogenic amine transport into secretory granules, and was also blocked by monensin and ammonium chloride, both of which increase the pH of intracellular storage organelles. Uptake was not affected by replacing sodium in the buffer with lithium at equimolar concentrations. Spiperone at 1 microM inhibited by over 50% serotonin transport into membrane vesicles isolated from platelet dense granules; this concentration inhibited the Na+-dependent plasma membrane transport system less than 10%. The data indicate spiperone specifically interacts with the secretory granule amine transport system and suggest that this transport system is found in the F4C1 pituitary cell strain as well as in platelets and neurons. The data also suggest that experiments utilizing spiperone to measure dopamine and serotonin receptors be interpreted with caution.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Delayed effects of spiperone on serotonin1A receptors in the dorsal hippocampus of rats.

The effects of 5-HT1A antagonists spiperone, methiothepin and BMY 7378 on [3H]-8-OH-DPAT binding were determined in vitro and ex vivo in rat hippocampus CA3 membrane preparations, and ex vivo in tissue sections of CA1 and CA3 subfields using quantitative autoradiography. In CA3 membranes from rats sacrificed 1 h or 24 h after administration of 5 mg/kg i.p. spiperone or methiothepin, no decrease in [3H]-8-OH-DPAT Bmax values approached statistical significance. Autoradiograms from identically treated rats showed significant increases in Kd values in both CA1 and CA3 hippocampal subfields 24 h but not 1 h after administration of the drugs, while no changes were observed in the dorsal raphe at either time. In vitro co-incubation of membranes with spiperone (200 or 500 nM) or methiothepin (500 nM) resulted in significant decreases in both affinity and Bmax values. In contrast, co-incubation with BMY 7378 (5 nM) increased only Kd values. GTP gamma S produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of specific [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding. At 0.1 mM of GTP gamma S, Kd values were increased three-fold and Bmax values were significantly decreased. When membranes were co-incubated with GTP gamma S and spiperone or BMY 7378, Kd values increased further. Moreover, the effects of spiperone and GTP gamma S on Bmax values were additive. It is concluded that BMY 7378 acts as a competitive antagonist at hippocampal post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors, whereas spiperone and methiothepin exert their delayed antagonistic effects at these receptors through a non-competitive mechanism of action, possibly affecting the coupling of the receptors to their Gi/o proteins.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1987

Binding of 3H-spiperone and 3H-(-)-sulpiride to dopamine D2 receptors in rat striatal membranes: methodological considerations and demonstration of the identical nature of the binding sites for the two ligands.

In order to test the hypothesis emerging from the literature that 3H-sulpiride and 3H-spiperone might label different subclasses of dopamine D2 receptors in the brain, the binding properties of the two ligands were compared under optimized conditions. 3H-sulpiride was found to show a very fast rate of dissociation from the receptor. Furthermore, with this ligand, an apparently "specific" binding to glass fiber filters was observed. A centrifugation assay was therefore used for the characterization of 3H-sulpiride binding. The binding of 3H-spiperone was measured in a way which prevented its attachment to sites other than D2 receptors. Under these conditions, the two ligands were found to label identical dopaminergic recognition sites (D2 receptors) according to the following criteria: 3H-sulpiride and 3H-spiperone both labelled only one single site with a comparable density. Identical changes in the receptor number for both ligands were found in the tissue from animals with nigrostriatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesions. The potencies of various dopamine agonists and antagonists in displacing 3H-sulpiride or 3H-spiperone from their binding sites showed a highly significant one to one correlation. Finally, the binding of both ligands could be inactivated by pretreatment of the membranes with N-ethylmaleimide, with or without Na+-ions being present. This inactivation followed exactly the same kinetics for both radioligands. Thus, no indication supporting the hypothesis that 3H-sulpiride and 3H-spiperone might label different subsets of dopamine D2 receptors in the rat brain could be found.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

3H-spiperone binding to lymphocytes fails in the differential diagnosis of de novo Parkinson syndromes.

In order to investigate the diagnostic value of 3H-spiperone binding capacity to lymphocytes in the differential diagnosis of de novo Parkinson's disease (idiopathic Parkinson syndrome, PD), we performed a double blind prospective study of spiperone binding capacity of 123 patients and 23 healthy control persons, belonging to different diagnostic groups (PD, Parkinsonian syndrome due to vascular lesions, multiple system atrophy [MSA], essential tremor). Diagnoses were based on medical history, clinical examination, CT or MRI scan, acute response to dopamimetic drugs, one year follow up, and long term response to L-DOPA treatment. Spiperone binding was assayed using ten different concentrations (0.03-3 nmol) in absence or presence of 1 mumol (+)-butaclamol to determine nonspecific binding. There was no significant difference in spiperone binding between patients with PD not treated with L-DOPA, and patients with other basal ganglia disorders including parkinsonian syndrome due to vascular lesions, multiple system atrophy, or progressive supranuclear palsy, and age matched controls. Binding was significantly higher in parkinsonian patients with PD treated with L-DOPA and patients with essential tremor. It is concluded that at present 3H-spiperone binding gives no further information in the differential diagnosis of de novo Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Dopamine D2 receptor binding in adrenal medulla: characterization using [3H]spiperone.

The possibility that dopamine may function as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter in the adrenal gland, and not merely serve as a precursor to the catecholamines, has been suggested. If this hypothesis is correct, receptors for dopamine should be identifiable in the adrenal. The present work demonstrates the existence of a high-affinity receptor in adrenal medulla using [3H]spiperone as the radioligand to label the receptors. [3H]Spiperone bound rapidly, reversibly, and with high affinity to bovine adrenal medullary membranes. Scatchard analysis yielded a Kd of 0.09 nM and a Bmax of 51 fmol/mg protein. In competition binding experiments, dopaminergic antagonists were at least 100 times more potent in displacing [3H]spiperone from its binding sites than adrenergic or serotonergic receptor antagonists. Similarly, agonists at the dopamine receptor more readily competed for [3H]spiperone binding than other receptor agonist drugs tested. Furthermore, D2 selective antagonists and agonists were much more potent than D1 receptor ligands. These results suggest that [3H]spiperone may bind to a high-affinity D2 dopamine receptor in adrenal medulla.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1979

Dissociation between the presynaptic dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and [3H]spiperone binding sites in rat substantia nigra.

[3H]Spiperone binding sites and the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase were measured in rat substantia nigra (s. nigra) 7 or 14 days after various lesions. Hemisections, which resulted in a 66% decline in tyrosine hydroxylase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and a 73% decrease in glutamate decarboxylase, led to a 50% decrease in [3H]spiperone binding and to the almost complete disappearance of the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase from the s. nigra on the lesioned side. 6-Hydroxydopamine injection into the s. nigra, which depleted tyrosine hydroxylase activity within the s. nigra by 85%, while leaving phosphodiesterase unaffected, resulted in a 40% decrease in [3H]spiperone binding but no change in the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Intrastriatal injections of kainic acid did not alter tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the s. nigra, but decreased both glutamate decarboxylase (54%) and phosphodiesterase (68%); [3H]spiperone binding was unaffected by this lesion while the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase was greatly reduced (50-75%). These results suggest that within the s. nigra the dopamine receptor binding sites as defined using [3H]spiperone are located on dopamine neurones while the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase is located presynaptically on striatonigral nerve terminals.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1984

Competitive inhibition of [3H]spiperone binding to D-2 dopamine receptors in striatal homogenates by organic calcium channel antagonists and polyvalent cations.

The specific binding of [3H]spiperone (30 pM) to D-2 dopamine receptors in homogenates of the rat corpus striatum, as defined by the D-2 antagonist haloperidol (100 nM), was displaced by organic calcium channel antagonists and by polyvalent cations. Both classes of agents were able to totally displace [3H]spiperone binding by an apparently competitive mechanism in that the dissociation constant was increased while the density of binding sites was unchanged. The rank order of inhibition potency for the cations was Zn2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than La3+ greater than Cu2+ greater than Ni2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Mg2+, Ca2+ greater than Ba2+. Of the organic calcium channel antagonists, D600 and verapamil were the most potent displacers of [3H]spiperone binding (IC50 values both 2.0 microM), while diltiazem possessed an IC50 of 33 microM. Nicardipine (IC50 6.0 microM) was the only 1,4-dihydropyridine to inhibit [3H]spiperone binding. The results suggest that sites labelled by [3H]spiperone also bind organic calcium channel antagonists and polyvalent cations.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

3H-spiperone binding sites in lymphocytes as possible vulnerability marker in schizophrenia.

The binding parameters for the dopamine antagonist 3H-spiperone to lymphocytes were investigated in nonmedicated schizophrenics (N = 43), in medicated schizophrenics (N = 25), as well as in 38 first- and second-degree relatives of schizophrenics, in a psychiatric control group (N = 27) and in normal, healthy controls (N = 40). The density of lymphocyte 3H-spiperone binding sites (Bmax) was significantly increased in all acute and chronic schizophrenic patients and in patients undergoing neuroleptic treatment for 2 weeks to several months and remained on a constant level during a drug-free remission period, suggesting that Bmax is a state independent variable. Elevated binding seems to be associated with schizophrenia; it could not be found in other psychiatric patients. In pedigree and family studies it became obvious that all relatives with one or more previous episodes of schizophrenia had similar increased binding capacity. But even in some well-state relatives elevated spiperone binding could be found, although they never had symptoms of the disease. Among these relatives of schizophrenics, there was an association between increased spiperone binding and the transmission of the disease. Although conclusive data about the precise genetic control obtainable in twin studies are still missing, we would suggest that elevated lymphocyte spiperone binding may be a marker of susceptibility to schizophrenia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Haloperidol and spiperone potentiate murine splenic B cell proliferation.

The neuroleptics haloperidol and spiperone potentiated anti-mu induced murine B-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and lowered the threshold of anti-mu antibody needed to trigger proliferation. Because haloperidol and spiperone are best known for actions at D2, 5HT2, alpha 1 and sigma (sigma) receptors, a series of agonists and antagonists of these receptors were tested. Dopamine and norepinephrine inhibited, and serotonin (5HT) enhanced B-cell proliferation. Spiperone opposed the suppression of proliferation by dopamine and norepinephrine. However, antagonists of D1, D2, D3, D5, 5HT2, 5HT1A, and alpha 1 receptors did not mimic the effect of haloperidol and spiperone. Furthermore, a series of sigma agonists failed to affect B-cell proliferation. Therefore it is likely that the effects of haloperidol and spiperone are not due to actions at known dopamine, 5HT, alpha 1, or sigma receptors. These findings indicate neuroleptics act not only in the CNS, but also directly on B-lymphocytes of the immune system. The pharmacological site of this action is not clear at this time.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗